God’s Vision for Our Church
We are continuing to meet to discuss the long-term future vision for our church property. At our last meeting, we discussed several possible usages for the parcel of land that our vacant parsonage sits on. We have met with Beth Potter, who represents our District Superintendent, and who has a variety of local contacts and ideas for us to pursue, and we are contacting county officials to find out about zoning restrictions and transportation plans that of which we should be aware.
These meetings are open to any member of our church. The next Vision meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 11 at 10 AM in the Library. In the meantime, we are asking everyone to prayerfully consider the long-term future of our church and to seek God’s inspiration and leadership in this endeavor. We need to discern how God has planned for us to use our resources to advance His Kingdom in Riverview.
Community Spaghetti Dinners
The first Wednesday of every month has been Community Spaghetti night at RUMC. We offer free spaghetti dinners to everyone in the Riverview community. Over the past several months, this event has grown in size. In order, to meet the growing demand, we need more help from members of our congregation.
We need folks to help prepare the meal, clean-up afterwards, and to offer a spiritual presence to the folks who enjoy our food. This is a valuable ministry of our church, and it is imperative that more of us lend a helping hand. Won’t you join us on October 5th—our next community dinner night.
Flapjack Fundraiser Tickets Go on Sale
Tickets for our next Flapjack Fundraiser are on sale. Once again, the United Methodist Men are sponsoring breakfast at the Applebee’s Restaurant on Providence Road just north of Lumsden Road. The price for each ticket is just $7--$5 of which goes to support the programs of the United Methodist Men. The event will be held on Saturday morning, October 22nd. It’s a great opportunity for food and fellowship—two staples of Methodism—and a chance to support your church!
The Pumpkins Are Coming!
The Pumpkins Are Coming!
The pumpkins for the pumpkin patch will be arriving on Saturday, October 8th. The youth will need everyone’s help in unloading the pumpkins for their annual fundraiser. We will provide more information as we get closer to the date.
Annual Church Conference
Riverview United Methodist Church will hold its Annual Conference on Tuesday, November 1st at 6:30 PM. The Rev. Jamie Westlake, Senior Pastor of New Hope UMC will serve as our presiding pastor. Church leaders must complete their portions of our annual report by October 1st (actually, the earlier the better).
We will need to have a called Church Conference sometime in mid- to late-October. That meeting will allow us to approve the budget, our slate of officers, and the clergy compensation package for 2017.
Renewing Our Partnership with
Riverview Elementary
Believe it our not, another school year is well underway. Once again, we will partner in support of Riverview Elementary School. We are asking for your donations of school supplies and backpacks. Supplies must be provided in unopened packaging. The school cannot accept used items, toys, DVD’s or books, they are only looking for brand new, basic school supplies. Thanks in advance for reaching out to the children in our community.
Prayer Vigil on Tuesdays
The Hispanic ministry has changed their Prayer Vigil time. Prayer vigils will be held every Tuesday from 10:00 AM until Noon. Everyone is welcome to come to pray at that time, or to ask that people pray for them. There is a box in Crichton Hall for persons to put prayer requests for Prayer Vigil time.
Upcoming Meetings
The Finance Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, October 11th to prepare next year’s church budget—so if you have a new ministry or request you want the Finance Committee to consider now is the time to contact a committee meeting.
The committee of Lay Leadership Nominations will be meeting on Tuesday, October 18th at 6:00 PM.
8002 U. S. Highway 301 South, Riverview, FL 33578 813-677-5995
Sunday Services
Faith Groups/Sunday School, 9:00 AM-9:55 AM
Relationships and Refreshment, 10:00 AM-10:25 AM
Worship Service, 10:30 AM
Hispanic Worship Service
12:00 Noon
(Until further notice all worship activities are in Crichton Fellowship Hall)
Rev. Merritt Waters, Pastor
Norma Encarcion, Lay Speaker, Hispanic Congregation
Here at Riverview First United Methodist Church, it is our mission to win people to Christ, to train believers to become disciples, and to send disciples to impact our community and the world for Jesus Christ.
Download the October, 2016
BELL Newsletter from this link.
Online Giving at RUMC
Giving online is easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions and view your complete online giving history from anywhere you have access to the Internet. Or you can enter one-time contributions from the internet or by smart phone.
To get started, simply follow these easy steps:
- Click on the Online Giving button below. This will take you to our church’s online giving webpage.
- Click on our Create Profile button on that webpage.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and to schedule your recurring or one-time contributions.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Saturday, October 1
South Central District UMW Action Day. Eliza Wolff Center, 2801 N. 17th Street, Tampa, 8:00 AM – Noon.
Sunday, October 2
World Communion Sunday. Crichton Fellowship Hall, 10:30 AM
Wednesday, October 5
Community Spaghetti Dinner. Crichton Fellowship Hall, 5:00 PM
Friday, October 7—Saturday, October 8
Men’s Lead Like Jesus Training. Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park.
Saturday, October 8
Pumpkins arrive. Pumpkin patch—more details to follow.
Tuesday, October 11
Vision Meeting. Library, 10 AM
Finance Committee Meeting/2017 Budget. Library, 7:00 PM
Friday, October 14—Sunday, October 16
Annual Men’s Retreat. Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park.
Saturday, October 15
Tampa Bay Walk to Remember. International Independent Showmen’s Museum, 6938 Riverview Drive, 10 AM
Tuesday, October 18
Lay Leadership Nominations Committee. Library, 6:00 PM.
Saturday, October 22
Flapjack Fundraiser. Applebee’s Restaurant on Providence Road North of Lumsden Road, 8:00 AM—11:00 AM.
2016 Stewardship Summit. FUMC Orlando, 142 E. Jackson Street, Orlando, 9:30 AM – 2:45 PM.
Tuesday, November 1
Annual Church Conference. Sanctuary, 6:30 PM (Jamie Westlake, Presiding Elder)
Download the Prayer Tree for
September 25 from this link.
Bible Passage of the Week
The Royal Priesthood
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light. Once you weren’t a people, but now you are God’s people. Once you hadn’t received mercy but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10 (CEB)
A Congregational Appeal
GOD’S HOLY WORD says, “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Cor. 3: 5-6).
Are you involved in the Life of our RUMC Family by being a “planter” or a “waterer?” If your answer is “No”, or “Not Sure”, then you should be! Our purpose as United Methodist Christians is to Worship and Serve Our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ through the spiritual Gifts and Graces that has been given to us by God through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Friends, God has called each one of us to Serve Him from our hearts by first of all offering our lives as living sacrifices (Rom. 12: 12). He also calls us to live holy lives that we might be a “royal priesthood” (1 Pet. 2:5).
In other words, we are all called to be “ministers” in Service to God! Are you involved in some form of ministry here in the Church that you attend? If not, you need to be – because your church family needs you!
So, if it has been awhile since the last time you blessed God and His Church with your spiritual gifts and graces, then there is no time like the present! RUMC and the Riverview community needs you today…not tomorrow or next week or next year.
You might be thinking to yourself, “O.K, then what Ministry Opportunities are available for me to consider? Well, I’m glad you asked. Here is a “sampling” of some opportunities where you can choose to Serve:
- Our CARE TEAM that helps and ministers to others needs new members.
- Our Choir would love to have you join them, especially men.
- Our “Free Spaghetti Suppers” (on the first Wednesday of each month) needs folk to help out with the Preparation, Serving, and Cleaning Up, and people who want to sit and talk to community members who have come for the food and might need friendship and feel Gods love for them.
- As we prepare for our Lay Leadership positions and committee members for 2017, you certainly could consider serving on our Staff Parish Relations Committee
- We sure could utilize your talents as our “Outreach & Missions” Team Leader. In fact, two of you could share as “Co-Team” Leaders. (One for outreach and one for missions).
- We could us a few New folks to Serve as “Greeters” and “Ushers” on Sunday mornings.
- We Need Team Leaders for our evangelistic endeavors.
- We are looking for a Lay Delegate to Annual Conference which will meet next Spring in Disney Springs.
- How about helping out during “Children’s Moments” or Children’s Church on Sunday mornings?
- You might be lead in serving as a volunteer with RESTORE, our food and clothing outreach ministry.
- How about Serving as a Faith Group (Sunday School) Teacher?
- We need help with floral arrangements and center pieces for tables in Crichton Fellowship Hall.
- A financial gift that would allow to replace the uncomfortable steel folding chairs in Crichton Fellowship Hall with padded chairs.
- We could use a “Kitchen Captain”, who to keep the kitchen area clean, organized, and sanitized, and would keep the pantry with plastic and paper goods and other critical supplies.
- We could use someone to serve as a “Liaison” assisting the Trustees with regards to “replacing” things that need replacing.
There is a nearly endless list, but this will suffice for now. Beloved, please prayerfully consider where you believe our Awesome Lord would have you participate in the life of our church family here at RUMC. Time is of the essence, so contact me by September 30th, in order that we can discuss your choice of Ministry.
My Thanks and Appreciation.
Pastor Merritt
